It spent its entire term of service in the western United States.

[1] Organized at San Francisco and Carson City September 2, 1861, to December 30, 1862, and attached to Department of the Pacific.

The regiment was first assembled at the Presidio, San Francisco, and after completing its organization, five companies were sent to Oregon and Washington Territory, to relieve the regular troops, and two companies were sent to Santa Barbara.

It was posted at Camp on San Pedro River from October 1865 to December 31, 1865 (later renamed Camp Grant, Arizona), until it was recalled to be mustered out at San Francisco, April 16.

"[5] On May 10, 1866 Colonel Thomas F. Wright gave the flag to Society of California Volunteers.